Most resort courses want to get you in their carts as fast as they can. They don't even want to offer a walking rate... until now.

... Marriott Corp.'s golf division announced recently that it will try to encourage people to park their carts at about a dozen of its golf resorts and walk the courses instead, in the name of better health and fitness. The Bethesda-based hospitality giant plans to accomplish this by making available a fleet of modern pushcarts for anyone inclined to wheel a golf bag around the course instead of riding the cart paths.

I wish they would've listed the 12 resorts they'll be trying this at... so I can avoid them!

Just kidding.

This is great. Anyone who actually walks (versus just talks about walking) knows that it's actually faster than riding, gives you a greater sense of satisfaction when you're doing it, and often results in better scores. Still- resort courses are all about one thing- GROUPS! Corporate events, tournaments and fundraisers. People playing that kind of golf don't walk, so I think this is going to be a bit of an uphill battle.

Kickntrue says:@brianshaffer32- you've been reading this site long enough to know all puns are intended.

5/20/10

mustang6560 says:with a modern push cart (not pull cart) it makes walking the course much easier. i have a sun mountain speed cart v1 and the air-inflated tires (not solid rubber) makes the cart lighter which makes it easier to push and it will keep your momentum so you don't feel like your pushing a brick wall. i'm all about walking th course, however, i can see how most corporate golfers won't like this.

nickp says:I walk because it's good exercise and by walk I mean "walk and carry my bag on my back". People freaking out about how hard it is to walk and push a cart need to cut down the turkey gravy intake. I can understand if it's difficult for some people, namely: the elderly who aren't Jack Lalanne, the disabled, and someone nursing an injury but everyone else playing singles or doubles shouldn't have a problem walking.

5/20/10

greendevil says:I agree, walking the course is faster than riding (at least for me). And, I not only enjoy playing a faster round, but I also like the exercise. I sit at a desk all day long at work and I can use all the exercise I can get.

Plus, I'm frugal so I really enjoy saving $7 to $8 per round by not paying cart fees; golf is expensive enough without paying for carts.

Good post AB!

5/20/10

greendevil says:I'm with you nickp; carrying the bag is the only way to go. With today's super-light carry bags and using double shoulder straps; walking is a breeze.

5/20/10

Bryan K says:You know...on MOST courses walking is faster. And then you have those courses that have a mile long jaunt to get to every hole. If that mile long jaunt is uphill, I'll ride. Otherwise, I walk. With a pullcart.

5/20/10

lcgolfer64 says:I've walk at least half rounds so far this year. I have no problem letting others play through (usually a single riding) and I don't have a problem otherwise keeping pace. Ditto on the deskjob Greendevil. Somedays its the only exercise I get all day.

One bonus I noticed (maybe it's just me) with walking. When I or the guys I'm shooting with push or pull a ball off the fairway into the rough, I'm able to find it much easier walking then I do if I were riding (read: driving too fast by it 3 times and then finally saying, "Oh - there it is.")

5/20/10

Kickntrue says:@greendevil- I used to be a double strap carry man.. but the push carts have become too awesome. carrying had me dragging by the 15th hole.. and i couldn't finish strong. pushing- you still get the exercise (admittedly not as much) but without the fatigue and strain on my back. plus... i'm fat.

Swingem says:Also love walking, and never have a problem keeping up with carts. Did the "purist" carry-em on my back thing too, cause I thought the push carts looked kind of dorky. I have a knee issue now that will eventually need fixing so I got a Clik-Gear push cart last month. It's easier on the knee and allows me to carry more stuff ( rain-gear, beer, etc) and even jog between shots (try that with clubs on your back). Kudos to Marriott for promoting walking.

5/20/10

sigmapete1 says:This is a great idea. Nothing worse than getting to a course and being told you can't walk. I walk every time except when told I can't or playing in a tournament or event where everyone gets a cart. Walking can be faster except if you are playing as a single. I played alone on a pretty empty course with a (mandatory) cart and absolutely flew through the course.

The cart delays occur when you have two people in one cart driving to watch each other take their shots, admire the shot, comment on it's inadequacy, discuss Lebron coming to the Knicks while the shooter puts his club away, drive to the other's ball, realize he can't remember where it is anymore, search for it, find it in the fairway, make a comment about Phil v. Tiger, figure out yardage, debate over club selection, decide on club, change club, shank shot...repeat.

5/20/10

nickp says:@Swingem: I jog with my bag sometimes but it's mainly because I'm a crap-player so in fear of holding up anyone behind me I'll hustle if the ball gets pulled into the woods. I bought a comfortable fairly light bag (ogio grom hybrid) so it's not bad at all. I'm not anywhere near fit (6' 225). I play a lot of 9s but on the 18s I haven't found myself tired enough on the back stretch to notice any change in performance. I gotta say though I do laugh at a single riding in a cart on an executive course.

5/20/10

mmontisano says:@Swingem: i always thought that push carts make you look like a wuss, but your putting beer in your bag statement has me rethinking the whole thing...

thanks!

-former manly man, now a pull-cart wuss.

5/20/10

Zepo1a says:Speaking of Walking vs. Riding. I love how the "Fitness Singles" girl in the ads here is riding in a cart. :) Is that ironic or Alanis Morissette ironic..i'm not sure. :)

And I ride. From April to Damn near November it's 90+ degrees here in Florida every day. Too damn hot to walk.

5/20/10

Banker85 says:ya the girl in the ad is my dream girl she is hot and golfs and looks like the girl next door. ooooooooo dream weaver....!!

5/20/10

white_rabbitt says:I love to walk/carry when i play. And i definitely shoot better when walking. I think that you need to be calm and not rushed to play golf and i feel nothing but rushed when i'm in a cart. You fly up to your ball, hit it, fly on to the next. While walking, i have time to calm down and analyze if i hit a bad shot, survey the upcoming shot, imagine shot shape, drink a beer, and everything else. You also get to "park" your bag a lot closer to the greens/tees.

5/21/10

GolfSmith7 says:I walk about 36 holes on Sundays and last Sunday did 54 on a 90 degree Texas day. I walk for the exercise and it's great. I have a clic gear. I notice that walking helps me get loose faster then riding. I only ride when playing with older golfers from my church and I feel rushed. To me walking is part of a health challenge I place for myself, can I walk my rounds and still finish strong? The answer is yes bc I do a golf specific workout five days a week.

5/22/10

RickB51 says:I started playing golf 14 years ago when I had to stop skiing and softball, knees are all worn out. Walking has given me the exercise and I usually walk. Push carts are the only way to go as far as I'm concerned. Cracks me up when I see teens and 20 somethings riding. By the way I'm 59 years old and am addicted to golf.